5 players Liverpool must sign this summer

Positivity is the word to describe Liverpool Football Club at the moment. The negativity after the departure of Philippe Coutinho is now offset by a newfound balance. Jurgen Klopp's Reds have now conceded just 16 goals in the last 20 league games (until GW 29) & have scored 53 goals, picking 47 points, second only to league leaders Manchester City (47 points).

Further, the Merseyside club brushed side FC Porto in the Champions League to move into the quarterfinals. While the mood is positive at Anfield, Klopp and his staff do realize the task at hand if they want to win trophies. Problems are definitely getting resolved one after the other and the squad depth is arguably the best in this century.

Hence, the five-time Champions League winners are very close to having a team which can compete on all fronts and here are 5 players Klopp must sign this summer to bring glory back to Anfield.

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#5 Alisson Becker, AS Roma

Alisson has come into his own this season

It is a given that no team can win the big titles like the Premier League without a top-quality goalkeeper. Pepe Reina was the last top keeper for the Reds and he left the club permanently in 2014. The several attempts to replace him have been mild to major disappointments so far.

Simon Mignolet was the first one signed to replace Reina in 2013 during the Brendan Rodgers era. 5 years and over 200 games later, the Belgian looks to have run out of chances under Jurgen Klopp too as he continues to blow hot and cold. The likes of Adam Bogdan and a young Danny Ward followed next without much success and Loris Karius is the current incumbent.

The German looks to have shaken away an indifferent start by putting in a string of impressive performances in recent weeks but he has a long way to go before he makes the spot his own. Thus, Liverpool are better-served getting in a top-class goalkeeper who can push Karius as well. Playing for the same club as Mohamed Salah before, Alisson Becker should be the no.1 goalkeeper target for the Reds this summer.

Alisson is the perfect fit for Liverpool's style of play (Source: squawka.com)

The AS Roma no.1 has been nothing short of sensational for the Italian side this season. Blessed with outstanding reflexes and shot-stopping ability, the Brazilian is an absolute wall at the back. Further, his distribution is up there with the likes of compatriot Ederson and Barcelona no.1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen, making him the complete package and explains why he is the Brazil no.1 ahead of Ederson.

The 25-year old has already been linked with Liverpool and Klopp's decision is expected to depend on how convincing Karius continues to grow before the end of the season. However, this team is only a few additions away from becoming a world-beater and signing a keeper like Alisson is key to that goal, even if he costs upward of £50 million.

Thus, unless Karius becomes that sort of a commanding and consistent keeper between the sticks, Alisson is a must-buy for the Reds.

#4 Stefan de Vrij, SS Lazio

Double Dutch at the back

After the goalkeeper position, the next compulsory addition to the squad is another defender. Virgil van Dijk's arrival as the costliest defender ever at £75 million has definitely made the team better. The inconsistent Dejan Lovren looks much more composed beside the Dutchman as Van Dijk's skill and leadership is bringing about a calmness in the backline.

Now, adding another quality centre-back should be a priority in the summer. Joel Matip along with Lovren are yet to convince while Ragnar Klavan is on the wrong side of 30 and can be considered to be a squad player at best. The young Joe Gomez has some way to go before becoming a first-choice defender for Klopp.

Thus, Van Dijk's absence due to injury or suspensions could once again derail the defensive organization. Klopp would surely be looking out for a centre-back, preferably on the cheap, as money is needed to strengthen other areas. Stefan de Vrij ticks all the boxes - consistently good for Lazio and is a free agent in the summer. Further, the 26-year old could form a better partnership with Van Dijk due to their Dutch connection.

De Vrij has been ever-present in Lazio's backline since the beginning of last season and has openly stated that he is set to leave the Serie A side in the summer. Given his quality, he has been linked to the likes of Inter Milan, Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool. Hence, for the Reds to get the player, they need to fend off competition.

If Klopp manages to secure De Vrij's signature, it will strengthen the defence while not burning a hole in Liverpool's pockets.

#3 Jorginho, SSC Napoli

Jorginho is the perfect replacement for Emre Can, should he depart

The future of Emre Can is up in the air with his contract expiring this summer. While the player insists he is yet to agree on a contract with any club, the Reds cannot breathe easy as they are looking at losing a player who is set to hit his peak.

The 24-year old is blossoming into a fine midfielder under Klopp, be it in the no.6 or no.8 role. Juventus have been circling around Can for a while now and if the German leaves, then Jordan Henderson is the only available option for the no.6 in that scenario.

Thus, it is imperative for the Merseyside club to make a quality addition, especially with Henderson's injury struggles. Recently, Napoli's Jorginho has emerged as one of the summer targets for Liverpool and it is clear to see why. The Italian has excelled in the deep-lying playmaker role under Maurizio Sarri, who endorses a similar brand of football as Klopp.

The Napoli no.8 is turning into a top controller in Italy with excellent game awareness, which allows him to intercept and tackle at the right moment. Further, the Brazil-born has his roots intact as he can pick a pass or thread a through-ball with ease whenever required, rounding off a solid skill-set.

Thus, the 26-year old has the talent, consistency and experience to perform regularly for a top side and his skill-set makes him ideal for Klopp's system. Napoli could definitely prove to be tough negotiators, however, in Amadou Diawara, they already have a replacement, which could facilitate the deal.

#2 Timo Werner, RB Leipzig

Werner is one of the best young strikers in world football

Roberto Firmino is truly a unique no.9, especially in terms of being selfless and the work he puts in without the ball. Naturally, Liverpool do not have a backup or competition to the Brazilian, who is considered to be "the system" at Anfield.

Daniel Sturridge is out on loan at West Brom and is expected to leave permanently in the summer. Danny Ings is relatively untested to lead the line at a top club and Dominic Solanke remains a rough diamond. Thus, signing a striker is of paramount importance in the summer and while it is difficult to find a like-for-like replacement for Firmino, Timo Werner could prove to be a top alternative.

The RB Leipzig forward possesses the dynamism and energy to constantly keep moving while pace is one of his strongest assets. The 21-year old's performances for the Bundesliga club have caught the attention of clubs across Europe and he has already made his bow for the German national team.

Werner is a strong finisher with 21 goals in the league last season and 10 goals so far this season. For all of Firmino's strengths, pace and goal-poaching are not exactly his strong suits. Thus, the Leipzig man can bring in another option to the squad and his energy will suit Liverpool's system well.

Further, at 21 years of age, he is only going to get better. However, negotiations could prove to be a sticking point after the long-drawn saga to get Werner's team-mate Naby Keita, who is set to join in the summer. Nevertheless, Werner ticks all the boxes as a young striker with huge upside for Liverpool and they need to go all out to get him in the summer.

#1 Christian Pulisic, Borussia Dortmund

Christian Pulisic is the superstar Liverpool need to sign this summer

Pulisic might not be the name one would want Liverpool to sign for sure in the summer but he fits several requirements at the Merseyside club both on and off the pitch. It is not often that a non-European player has 60 appearances for a top European club before turning 19. In fact, Pulisic is the first non-German player to do it in the Bundesliga.

The American joined the Black and Yellow in 2015 when Klopp was still the manager at Westfaldion. In a span of three years, Pulisic has become a key player for Dortmund, the main man for the US national team with seven goals and seven assists in their unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign and has the versatility to play in several attacking roles.

While Kylian Mbappe has stolen the headlines (for the right reasons, of course) in the past year or so, Pulisic could easily push him for being named as the best teenager in world football at the moment. A combination of pace, skill, vision and dribbling ability mingled with a strong work ethic and a humble personality define the 19-year old accurately as he continues to show maturity beyond his age.

Thus, he fits into Klopp's profile and the Reds boss can once again work with the talent he signed during his time in Germany. Further, Klopp's relation with Dortmund could act as a sweetener for the potential deal. Meanwhile, any asking price will be met with lesser resistance from the American owners, as they will see a lot of marketing potential in bringing their countryman to Anfield.

Hence, Christian Pulisic is a player Liverpool cannot afford to miss this summer and he has everything in his locker to become the catalyst for Liverpool winning the Premier League next season.